Robben sparks oranje joy

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PENALTIES. DON’T YOU JUST HATE ‘em. England do, a dismal record of one success in five spot-kick shoot-outs the reason why their players are now either back at home or enjoying their holidays. For all their heroics in hanging on in Lisbon on Thursday night, having been outplayed for much of a dramatic quarter-final against Portugal, they were unable to come out on top in the ultimate test of mental strength.

Holland can empathise. Their tally is one out of five, too, the Oranje having departed on penalties in four of the past five tournament finals that they have competed